My client wants a very dark walnut stain. I applied a second coat of Minwax Dark Walnut that I did not wipe, but left a thin layer with a brush to get the shade they want (almost a black). I have not applied a finish yet. The stain did not dry after a week, its still a bit tacky.
I know I have done this in the past and have not had a problem (no call backs at least), but this is for a handrail that will get a lot of handling and I see in another post that the finish could peel. Is there any finish that will work here? It seems like an oil pased poly might just absorb some of the stain and dry properly. I can still remove the extra layer with thinner, but then what do I do?
Anybody have luck with the gel stains?
Replies
Solution (for future) of 'sticky' finish
Too late for your current situation, but in the future you might try using dyes instead of stains to get the color you want. No long waiting for a solvent to evaporate.
They are not the same as in the past when they were toxic.
Lockwood carries both water-based and alcohol-based dyes with a wide variety of colors for most woods. It is relativiely easy to go light or dark depending on the concentration you make.
I usually start with the 100% concentration, test it, and if too dark cut the 100% solution.
I have no financial interest in Lockwood.
Toner
You could remove the excess stain with mineral spirits leaving your walnut base color, then a compatable dye in your top coats would allow you to "sneak up" on the color you want.
Yeah, mineral spirits can remove the stain to a great extent. You can later apply the color you want.
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